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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2017 19:43:37 GMT -7
 I don't know why people run
I don't know why things fall through
I don't know how anybody survives in this life
Without someone like you
It had been seven and a half months since Harley found out of her pregnancy. In all honesty, despite going through everything, she was so happy. She had realized how much she missed in the two and a half years she was gone. She was fortunate to sleep in the same bed as her husband every night. She had friends who felt like family. Passion in the camp bloomed throughout everyone. All she could think of, when someone talked about how passionate they were to the cause, was that her husband was responsible. He inspired more than just her and their deceased daughter, but inspired hundreds of other people. The camp bloomed into a small town and some cabins were even built. It was completely off the radar to the Capitol, being a peaceful haven to anyone that wanted to help. It was an amazing system with the most amazing people in all the districts coming together.
Harley, in her last seven months, was suppose to be taking it easy. She was never one to sit down and watch other people work for her. Instead, during the morning, she would help with the cooking for the camp. Afterwards, she would spend lunch with Cypress. In the afternoon, she would take shooting lessons to prepare for an attack, which she tried to hide under the radar from her husband whom she knew wouldn't take in lightly. In the late afternoon and before dinner, she would take speech lessons from an ex-professional singer in the Capitol. Before long and with rigorous training exercises, she was able to speak very well for someone without a tongue. She had problems with her hard "g's" and "ch's". In the evening, she would spend the night with Cypress, eating dinner together and relaxing. It was a nice routine that they had going on.
Her stomach was almost as big as it was when she was with Ariadne. It was the size of a small watermelon, which was hard to navigate and a pain in the bottom at times. She had been pregnant three times, though it had been quite a while since she was last pregnant. She was older too, and the large belly weight heavily on her back. Still, she ignored the ache and just kept doing her daily routine. She knew she was hard on herself, but she couldn't be bothered to take it easy. There was work to be done and she had to do it.
She had been starting to hear rumors around the camp of a large attack against the Capitol. Comfort never lasted in the Emerson's lives, and if the rumors were true, she hoped that Cypress would stay back and fight through technology. She knew that he wasn't like that though. Harley assumed that he was going to be on the front lines with everyone else, just like how the two of the faced their problems head on instead of sitting on the sidelines. She had a week left to be with Cypress, and she knew she didn't have a long time until she gave birth.
It was selfish to their child, but Harley would rather be on the front lines with Cypress. She wanted to stand at his side when he was in the Capitol. She wanted to fight along side him, using the gun techniques that she was taught to fight with him. Harley wanted to see her husband alive after everything that was going to happen and make sure that he lived to see their child.
In the evening, after the two ate dinner together, she grabbed the paper sitting on their extra chair. Harley needed to tell Cypress where she stood and she needed to understand what he was going to do. "So, I assume you'll be in the Capitol in a week?" she said with a half smile. Harley gave the paper to Cypress. She sat on their couch that they were given from a District 7 furniture maker. It was a hard conversation to have, but it was one they needed to have.
WORD COUNT: 708
TAG: @cypress
NOTES: Hope this is okay!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2017 12:47:12 GMT -7
To say that life had been busy in the last few months would be an understatement. There had been the normal stuff - camp operations, messages with other camps, getting people into and out of districts. There had been wonderful stuff - having Harley with him again, watching her stomach grow every day, seeing Everett with someone else to talk to, and the hope in everyone in the camp. But taking up most of his time was the war. They'd been planning the upcoming battle for months, gathering members, supplies, and useful contacts. Cypress had actual made a sort of ally out of District 13, in the form of rescued prisoners Dominic Williams and Darin Krynn. He hadn't expected to be able to - or want to - work with the district who had deemed Harley's life unimportant in the grand scheme of things. He'd heard the district was different though, with a council instead of a power-hungry woman at its head, and any communication he had with the place came via Darin or Dominic.
Not everyone in the camp knew all the details of the upcoming battle or its planning. Every able-bodied, willing member had volunteered for or were given a task in the battle - both in this main camp and the satellite camps. Their numbers were large, and their plan was good. Cypress was ready and terrified all at the same time. In the matter of a week, they would all be fighting for their freedom. They would come out victorious - or they would be dead. Cypress wasn't a battle commander - he had advisers for that - but the idea to strike now had been largely his idea. Many wars were fought in skirmishes, small battles to gain small victories. It was the way District 13 operated, as evidenced by the battle in District 4. While he'd been told and understood the logic in that, he did't want small victories. He didn't want the Capitol to have the chance to build up their forces and learn about the enemy. He didn't want the Capitol to become a minefield that would destroy everyone before the battle was done. So, they were putting everything they had into it.
The nation would be ready. It had to be. He had members of Alias' Army in every district, including the Capitol. Others were allied with District 13. Once the fighting began, others would likely join them. And what better way to encourage others to join than by fighting after a fresh crop of tributes was reaped? When it came down to it, it was always about the Hunger Games for Cypress. It always came back to Ariadne. The Capitol had claimed those he loved in other ways too, but the Hunger Games was an open, yearly death wave that the Capitol advertised as sport. Well, the last kids had already died in the arena. The tributes for the 78th Hunger Games would all live, and the nation would never have to face that horror again.
Cypress was trying to get his brain to relax after a long day, which was always easiest to do with Harley. Their time together was so precious, especially with the uncertainty of the future. He might never get to meet the child growing in her belly. He might not get to watch her become a mother again, or see how beautifully she would age. He could not possibly let her go on the upcoming mission, and while he hadn't planned it, the timing was perfect. There was no way she could go now in her current condition, where the baby could come at any time. He wished he could be there for it - hoped he still could be - but she had a capable doctor and the best medical help he could find. So, for now, he tried to drink in every minute with his wife.
After dinner, Cypress recognized that look in his wife. She had something on her mind, and they were going to has through it. He had a pretty good guess what it was, of course. They hadn't talked about the upcoming battle, as he'd been putting it off. He didn't want to taint this time they had together. He also wasn't going to deny her this conversation, so when she moved to the couch and picked up her pad of paper, he followed her. Taking the paper from her, he read it and looked back up. He gave her a small smile in return, sitting next to her. Yes, this would be a hard conversation to have, and he'd have to be careful with his stubborn wife.
"Yes," he told her, smoothing a lock of her dark hair behind her ear. "You know I couldn't stay back here with all the fighting going on. I'd rather be with you, but I have to finish what I started." His hand moved to her belly, where their child grew. He had entirely allowed himself to hope, to be excited, about this life they had created. They could not lose this child. "I don't want to bring our child into a world where they reap children for death and imprison us all. When I come back, that will all be over." It was quite a hopeful statement, but if there was anyone he could be hopeful for, it was Harley. One way or another, the world would change soon.
WC: 898
Tag: @harley
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2017 20:59:52 GMT -7
Harley already knew that Cypress wasn't going to like what she was going to propose. She had it planned for a while, as if he ever went into battle, she was going to come with him. There was nothing different about this upcoming battle either, pregnant or not. She appreciated his passion and his determination, as she always did, but Harley prided herself on her compassion and loyalty. When her husband's hand touched her stomach, she felt the warmth from him. They worked so hard to achieve their dream, and recently, everything was working out in their favor. Harley seemed like she was going to carry to term, Cypress was praised by many for his passion, and they had a cozy home that they lived in. If it was like this for the rest of their lives, she would be completely okay with that.
She looked at Cypress, wondering how calm he could be in the midst of all of this chaos. When he brushed her hair back, it was just as gentle as it was the first time they kissed. Some days, she wondered how they came to be out in the middle of nowhere. That it definitely wasn't something her eighteen year old self pictured in her forties. Life seemed to take many turns for the Emersons, and though they made a bumpy road, they always made it. That was why she was so confident about Cypress' army going to the Capitol--she knew they would make it back. She also knew Cypress would fight harder than he ever would before, but she had to make sure she was there with him. He needed a mental break, even in the middle of war. He might worry about her, but she felt as if it was better for her to be there than to be gone, wondering if her husband would ever come back.
"An' that's why I'm comin'," she said to Cypress, not even asking his permission first. "To make sure you come back in one piece. I'm not 'oin to 'eliver this child without you. We're a team, no matter that you say." She scooted closer to Cypress, putting her hand on his shoulder. She was going to be persistent about it no matter what. And she wasn't going to do the dishes and clean up until he agreed with her. She did have a check-up tomorrow, so maybe she could use Doctor Aid as a bargaining chip for Cypress. With his permission or not, she was going to be in the Capitol and be right at Cypress' side. That was the one thing she was sure of.
WORD COUNT: 444
TAG: @cypress
NOTES: Sorry, so short |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2017 10:55:24 GMT -7
The words out of Harley's mouth were the ones that Cypress dreaded coming. He had possessed a glimmer of hope that maybe, maybe she would understand the importance of staying behind this time. If not for her, at least for the child she carried. It wasn't as if the entire camp was coming along on this mission - there were plenty of children, elderly, and infirm that would keep the cookfires going in the absence of those who could fight. Their roles here were no less important than those of the people going off to battle, simply different. They ensured the future for those who wouldn't make it back, and they could keep a good life and a small resistance going should everything fail.
Cypress' face had fallen at his wife's statement, though this battle wasn't over yet. "I know we're a team, but please, Harley," he pleaded, "stay here. This baby could come anytime, our little miracle, and I want you both safe. I could never have imagined we could be parents again, but it's just around the corner. A warzone is far too dangerous for both of you. We could lose this child there." He had to hope that reason was enough to change her mind, that they could talk this through like they talked everything through. He couldn't imagine how he could ever be okay with his very pregnant wife coming along to fight in a battle that would anything but easy.
It wasn't that Cypress doubted his plan or his wife. The plan was as solid as it could be, and everyone was ready. Harley, too, was as battle ready as she could be. Despite how she tried to hide it from him, he had seen that she was getting shooting lessons. She was good, too. She was readying herself for battle, in addition to doing the chores she'd picked up around the camp. Were she not pregnant, or their baby already here, he might have been convinced to let her go. He would still hate it, still worry about her constantly, but she had a right to this fight as much as he did. The Capitol had taken her daughter and her tongue, had hurt her in a dozen ways. But it wasn't as easy as all of that. If their child died because of his battle, his war, Cypress would never be able to forgive himself.
WC: 401
Tag: @harley
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2017 22:13:11 GMT -7
Mrs. Emerson knew that he wouldn't like the idea, and honestly, she knew that she shouldn't go. She knew she should stay at the camp, trying to stay healthy and being prepared for her pregnancy. But there was something in her that just couldn't. She couldn't leave her husband, not after they had finally been so long together after two years of false mourning. She couldn't just sit there while everyone else was fighting. If these people were going to put their life on the line for Cypress' cause, so was Harley. She was going, and that was it. When Harley had made up her mind, there was nothing stopping here. Sometimes, she could be just as stubborn as the man she married.
Harley listened to Cypress, absolutely knowing where he stood and partially agreeing with him. "Cypress," she said softly, taking his hand. "Either I'm with you or you're stayin'. I can't have you not come back. Not after Ariadne and after we were separated." It was almost four years since she died. It was so sad to think about because life for the Emerson's had finally moved on without her. Harley didn't think about her every moment of the day and the two barely spoke about their late daughter. She would've been nineteen, but if their daughter haven't had died, things would have been so much different. They would have still lived in District 7, probably minding their own business. None of the hardships or the revelations they had would have happened.
She knew that the last thing Cypress needed was pressure, but she didn't have a choice. She needed to be there in the Capitol. They could maybe find help for the baby if they tried. She wasn't going to give birth alone and she wasn't going to let her husband sacrifice himself. She knew that that was what he would do for his army. He was the least selfish of the family. He would take a bullet for anyone in the camp, and that was what Harley was afraid of. If he just saved one person, she would live in a world without him. She didn't want to do that. Not again.
"If I'm not with you, how will I know if you're comin' home and being a father to this child? I know it hurts, but I have to come with you. I know this battle means more than anythin', and I understand, but let me be a small part while I'm still with you. A medic, a cook, a scouter. I'm there." Harley was persistant, and even so, she still didn't know if Cypress would be upset, understanding, or something completely different.
WORD COUNT: 452
TAG: @cypress |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2017 8:57:49 GMT -7
It was hard to convince Harley of anything once she'd made up her mind, and Cypress knew that. At her next words, he thought about whether he would consider it. To keep his wife and unborn child safe, would he stay behind with them if that's what it took? Could he send all these people he had been leading off to fight his battle without him? Could he remain safe while knowing that many of them wouldn't come back? The answer was obvious, of course. He couldn't. He'd devoted his life to this cause, for better or worse, and the good of Panem far surpassed anything personal anymore. If his going could save even one life that might otherwise have been lost, it was beyond worth it.
Cypress had to look away from his wife though, the thought of losing her and their child as a result of his duty to go ripping at his insides. He didn't know if he could live past that loss again. He'd had a cause to take up after Harley was taken from him, one that consumed most of his waking thoughts, and so he'd found motivation to go on. After this battle, if he lived and she died, he would have nothing. Sure, there would be the rebuilding of Panem if they won or a harsher world for all if they lost, but this battle was his big finish line. He could be an asset after it was over, but not alone. He didn't think he could start over again.
Although Harley continued to speak, his eyes were still on the ground. Perhaps the best thing to do as a husband and father was stay with her. But he couldn't do that. He could leave her in the protection of others who were staying, ask them to keep her there, but he didn't think she could be stopped. And even if she could, wasn't the point of this war the desire for free will? For freedom? Despite her condition, Cypress couldn't lock up his wife even if it was all for the right reasons. She'd never forgive him - especially if he never came back - and he would be taking away the very thing he was trying to earn for others.
There was a long silence after Harley finished speaking as Cypress sat there with his eyes closed. Finally, he looked up at her, pain etched across his face. "A medic," he said, softly. "If you have to go, a medic. Learn everything you can from Doctor Aid over the next week." He swallowed, then straightened a little. "Stay back, and only go to the wounded once the battle has moved on. If you get hurt or the baby starts to come, retreat to the train warehouse immediately and go to District 7's train. Take someone with you if you can, and I'll make sure you have a radio for me." He hated giving orders to his wife - he was never that kind of husband - but he had to do what little he could to keep her safe. "Promise me that you'll do that, Harley. Please." And I hope you'll change your mind before we leave, he added silently, although the chances of that were slim.
WC: 542
Tag: @harley
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